Nutrition During Cold Illnesses

Almost all patients experience a decrease in appetite during their illness, so it is not advisable to force them to eat and to avoid overloading the digestive system. Dr. Nadezhda Chernysheva, a specialist in internal medicine, noted that this way the body conserves energy. Therefore, the patient's food should be light and easy to digest. She stated, "Fried foods or those rich in fats, as well as smoked meats and various pickles, are never recommended for patients. Instead, the patient should have a light diet: dairy dishes, eggs, and poultry, preferably in the form of minced meat, to facilitate digestion. Meals should be in small, varied portions. Additionally, it is important to drink plenty of warm water, as drinking a lot of water is crucial for quickly eliminating pathogens, toxins produced, and harmful substances from the body." She added, "Lemon can be added to water, or infusions of cranberry, red raspberry, or linden leaves. However, there is no need to add sugar to the drink; it is better not to add sugar at all."